ponsaelius

Merge with Guehi thread

Yes ACL.

It's definitely a shambles IMO. I'd probably have rather sold one of them early and reloaded with 3-4 signings if that's what it meant to keep us moving forward. Controversial maybe. This is no major signings for two windows and stagnation at best of the squad.

Parish has absolutely played us mind.

Yeah that'll be this done. I think Guehi will sign a 1 year extension with a buyout clause now. Big pressure on us to deliver something before the end of the window and avoid a total shambles tbh.

The Matt Targett signing is probably for me what a misstep for us in the market looks like. It was well reported at the time he wasn't our first choice for left back, but we ended up going for him permanently to get the requisite body in the door early and get our window rolling that summer. Ultimately though he was right in the 'buy wrong, buy twice' category given that we've since signed two new left backs in his position. Wrong age, wrong pricepoint and ultimately just the wrong profile. Unlucky with injuries no doubt but ultimately even without those injuries he's an example of a bad signing I'd say given that he'd only ever have plugged a gap and then depreciate in value. He's obviously better and more expensive but I think Joe Gomez would fall into a similar category and would be a mistake of a signing. What I would say is I feel like we've lost all confidence in the Nickson type signings from Europe. There has to be Bruno, Botman type profiles we can go for in that £30-40 million price point with minimal fuss negotiating with European clubs. There has barely been a single solid rumour of that type except for Thiaw. This is the first window so far where I'm really struggling to get my head around what we're doing, and as a result also worrying that we don't really know either.

I'm actually starting to think we might not do anything. I get the caution over getting it right but this will have been a disaster of a window if we don't deliver on at least one of those key positions.

This is a very good point, tbf.

Ashington aren't in the Northern League. Point stills stands though, admittedly.

Less than two weeks to go, keep expecting a flurry of activity and it's just been nowt.

Again the debate around building behind the existing stadium smack on top of Leazes Park is a non starter. Building on Castle Leazes, with maybe some encroachment onto the northern end of the park... then you might actually be talking. I still think if done right it could be transformative for the club, the park and the city. It's the best option to get started ASAP, have no disruption/temporary home and also be able to host Euro 2028 no problem. My only issue is I think stadium design is likely to be hideous and soulless based on current design trends. The options report is supposed to be imminent and they haven't settled on any of them yet - it will be subject to fan consultation/dialogue. However you'd think they have an idea what they're leaning towards.

Looks like Wolfsburg have signed a replacement for Lacroix, so would expect him to go to Palace soon. It's just a question probably of which CB Palace are going to sell.

I think with Schar and Burn both being 33 by the end of the season (and Botman/Lascelles injured to start the season) we do need somebody a few years on to reinforce the back line both immediately and for the next couple of years. Personally from what I've seen of Huijsen he's not there yet and won't be for a couple of years - but admittedly he may thrive in the PL given his stature. I do agree that Guehi is overpriced and have some doubts about his overall potential due to aerial ability - but I think looking at CBs at his age profile and career maturity is something we've simply had to do.

Exactly. If Schar was 4 years younger it would probably be the profile we went for (like with Osula). But we obviously want somebody who can be immediate first choice.

Huijsen is a good footballer with potential but I watched a lot of him last season for Roma and he had some serious clangers in him. To be expected given his age. He's a project player and will probably be worth significantly more in a few years. However it's clear we want somebody further on in their career in that position.

They have massively cut their wage structure under the new ownership, it's why they cut adrift the likes of Mount because of his demands. Most of their signings have been young players from other markets. But total wage bill will be high due to the sheer number of players they have on the books.

They'll want £65 mill upfront I reckon. It's too much, sack it off.

Yeah I'm grateful I've got me dodgy box so can still watch every game, but it's an absolute sickener that they're down to 2 Serie A games a week when previously everything was on.

You could easily keep emergency vehicle access along Strawberry Place if it involved a pedestrianised area adjacent to the ground. In fact you can usually improve emergency vehicle movement corridor by doing so. Unless you're meaning normal vehicle access?

The Ipswich rumour was definitely in the press at one point.

It's what they bought him for I think, so effectively saying anything which gives them a book profit they'd take.

Elliot Anderson winner towards the end of a drab transfer window

For fucks sake man

This is fast becoming the most mind numbing transfer window in a long time